One of my college essays is going to be about art in a different media. Despite that one critic's past comments, I was hoping I could nail a few scenes or "moments" from games to help make my point. So I ask you, fellow escapees, even through JRPG's and FPS's there were "THOSE" moments. Do you have any to share?
Beautiful/artistic Moment(s) in video games
- Thread starter Mykonos
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I'm still never sure what people are looking for when people say "art". Something emotional, some eye candy? Off the top of my head I'll just go with the double missile launch from CoD4. It's all fast paced and then the world suddenly goes slow as you just stare at this two rising pillars of smoke through the crytal clear sky (usually followed with your thoughts which are somehting on the lines of "Oh holy shiiiii...")
Rubbish example but that's all I can think of right now.
Rubbish example but that's all I can think of right now.
Fallout 3 has tonnes of them.
One I always remember is finding the Radio signal from the father concerning his family and sick son, then finding the family. It was pretty poignant.
Some of the vistas had me just staring for ages too.
One I always remember is finding the Radio signal from the father concerning his family and sick son, then finding the family. It was pretty poignant.
Some of the vistas had me just staring for ages too.
Your avy made me think, "Your princess is in another castle!"
On a serious note, I'm going to suggest:
-The conversation with Ravel in Planescape: Torment
-The last bit of P:T, with your 3 personas.
-The final 5 minutes of SotC
-Entirety of Okami
-The finale of Jade Empire
-The Milkman Conspiracy in Psychonauts
-The Bull level in Psychonauts
-The Lungfishopolis level in Psychonauts
-Just about everything about Psychonauts
EDIT:
For character attachment as a method of art, I'd also like to recommend that one scene from The Darkness. You know, that one. The one where... yeah.
EDIT 2: Although really, the whole art in video gaming is about control. Scenes that take away control show precisely that you can't do everything, and scenes that give control show that you can, in fact, do something. In that way, the scene from The Darkness is probably one of the most artistic in that it shows the inevitability of the deaths of those you love.
On a serious note, I'm going to suggest:
-The conversation with Ravel in Planescape: Torment
-The last bit of P:T, with your 3 personas.
-The final 5 minutes of SotC
-Entirety of Okami
-The finale of Jade Empire
-The Milkman Conspiracy in Psychonauts
-The Bull level in Psychonauts
-The Lungfishopolis level in Psychonauts
-Just about everything about Psychonauts
EDIT:
For character attachment as a method of art, I'd also like to recommend that one scene from The Darkness. You know, that one. The one where... yeah.
EDIT 2: Although really, the whole art in video gaming is about control. Scenes that take away control show precisely that you can't do everything, and scenes that give control show that you can, in fact, do something. In that way, the scene from The Darkness is probably one of the most artistic in that it shows the inevitability of the deaths of those you love.
The whole game of The Void.
Best.Game.Ever.Made.
And it's the only game I seriously call an art gem game.
Best.Game.Ever.Made.
And it's the only game I seriously call an art gem game.
Reuniting Anjou and Kafei in Majora's Mask. That's my standout 'beautiful moment' in gaming, without doubt.
Metal Gear Solid 4's final boss (And ending), Uncharted 2's final stretch, and The World Ends With You had several moments.
However, there is one moment in video games that truly stands out in my mind. (Maaaaajor Knights of the Old Republic spoilers here) In Knights of the Old Republic, when Bastila turned to the dark side. It was just so shocking, seeing the person I had traveled, bonded, and romanced with throughout my entire journey. I did everything I could to convince her to change back, and she refused. Finally-- when you arrive at the Star Forge, and have to face her in battle. It comes down to the wire. She has nothing left. Either you turn her back, or she's going to die. It really struck me as just a beautiful moment in... anything, really. It's just one of the reasons why KotOR is my favorite game. And that's not even it's only beautiful moment, it has plenty. That's just the one that really stood out to me.
And then, of course... there's Red Dead Redemption's 'moment'. And that's all I'll say about that.
EDIT: Heavy Rain! Oh, how could I forget Heavy Rain? That entire game is beautiful. And I WOULD have said Okami, but that one's kind of a given and I would feel generic.
However, there is one moment in video games that truly stands out in my mind. (Maaaaajor Knights of the Old Republic spoilers here) In Knights of the Old Republic, when Bastila turned to the dark side. It was just so shocking, seeing the person I had traveled, bonded, and romanced with throughout my entire journey. I did everything I could to convince her to change back, and she refused. Finally-- when you arrive at the Star Forge, and have to face her in battle. It comes down to the wire. She has nothing left. Either you turn her back, or she's going to die. It really struck me as just a beautiful moment in... anything, really. It's just one of the reasons why KotOR is my favorite game. And that's not even it's only beautiful moment, it has plenty. That's just the one that really stood out to me.
And then, of course... there's Red Dead Redemption's 'moment'. And that's all I'll say about that.
EDIT: Heavy Rain! Oh, how could I forget Heavy Rain? That entire game is beautiful. And I WOULD have said Okami, but that one's kind of a given and I would feel generic.
I'm going to say in the beginning of Mass Effect 2. After the Normandy gets attacked you're rushing through the burning remnants of your ship with fired raging and epic music playing. Then when you reach the upper deck and reach the blackness of space all there is is utter silence. The music stops, the sounds of fire stop, you hear nothing. It really empathized the emptiness and solitude of space.
This is a mojor spoiler for red dead redemptoin. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
The scene where John Marston is gunned down by the american army. This is a moment that is more or less powerfull depending on what you put your character through. I was playing a hero and I finished (from what I know) all the stranger missions. By the end of the game I was an honorable law-abiding asset to justice. When I witnessed the brutality of how 30+ soldiers just tore him apart. I literally said out loud, "You mother fucking bastards, he did all you wanted and this is what he gets!!!". The best part of this scene is Marston's tortured, heavy breathing after the scilence came over the barn. I assume if you played the game as a villain he would have had it coming but that wasn't the case for me.
MOTHER 3:
"hey flint! good news bad news:I found you a new weapon. a drago fang. the bad news? It...
...
...
...
...
It was in your wifes heart..."
followed by flints violent/slightly insane outburst.
this is in chapter 1, it gets sadder and sadder from there.
Not "artsy" enough for you?
in this game, the rise of civilization is a sad moment. and it works.
"hey flint! good news bad news:I found you a new weapon. a drago fang. the bad news? It...
...
...
...
...
It was in your wifes heart..."
followed by flints violent/slightly insane outburst.
this is in chapter 1, it gets sadder and sadder from there.
Not "artsy" enough for you?
in this game, the rise of civilization is a sad moment. and it works.
The cutscene after the boss fight with Xion in Kingdom Hearts 358/2days. Sorry if I spoiled the game for anyone, but I don't know how to put up those spoiler signs yet.
The scene would have been perfect if Roxas said anything else except
"No! Xion! Who else will I have Ice Cream with?"
The scene would have been perfect if Roxas said anything else except
"No! Xion! Who else will I have Ice Cream with?"
There is one scene in Half Life 2 where you are on the speedboat. off to the side there is a small alcove. after killing some headcrabs, you decide to look around, and you hear the wind. Just listening to that wind shaking the metal was so lonely and eerie.
Later in the game there is the excellent journey through the Citadel. It just shows you the absolute scale of the tower.
But hands down my favourite scene in a game came from Mass Effect 2. There is a side mission where you need to navigate a derelict frigate perched on the side of a cliff. No enemies, no danger, but the most terrifying moment in the whole game. The sound design of the wind and the creaks and falling parts just blew me away the first time I played it.
Later in the game there is the excellent journey through the Citadel. It just shows you the absolute scale of the tower.
But hands down my favourite scene in a game came from Mass Effect 2. There is a side mission where you need to navigate a derelict frigate perched on the side of a cliff. No enemies, no danger, but the most terrifying moment in the whole game. The sound design of the wind and the creaks and falling parts just blew me away the first time I played it.
Silent Hill 3: in Brookhaven Hospital, when you step out of that room into the Nightmare Hospital. The transition from an abandoned hospital to what looks like Hell, with the pulsating veins on the walls and the ambient music, was lovely.
I have to say that the recent Call of Duty games are full of these kinds of touching moments. Last night I beat World at War, and I got a little bit choked up at the end of both fronts.